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THE HE past summer has not been a time of negligent idleness or mere recreation for many who feel a true earnestness for the well-being of our household of faith. The weighty and vital subjects that were consigned to large committees at our last yearly meetings have not been lying dormant, but earnest minds have been concentrating their efforts upon them, and we may confidently expect an increase of light with the coming together of all wanderers to our meetings and our homes. The consciousness of our needs must be very vivid in thoughtful minds, and to know well our deficiencies tends to their amendment.

There is something very encouraging and joyous in the reopening of the First-day schools this autumn, and we are sure that where the reasonable and proper measures are adopted for the help of this precious work in behalf of the young, a satisfactory growth may be counted on. We do not mean that a mere increase of numbers is certain, but that a deepening in the efficiency of the instructions is the reasonable outcome of earnest religious thought, and of a wise consideration of means.

We hope the new lesson leaves prepared from the revised Bible by some of our truly concerned and most competent teachers, will receive the favorable consideration of all those intelligently engaged in the First-day school work. It is an effort to meet one of the real needs of our young teachers who feel concerned to aid in the right help and guidance of the children. In some schools, we know, classes are engaged from year to year in the continuous and systematic study of the Scriptures, and are deeply interested in the continuance of this line of study-believing it very profitable. But the use of the Scriptures with special reference to the maintenance of the testimonies which Friends feel it their special work to foster at this time, is the mission of the lesson leaves; and there is a real need of their pure, clear and practical expositional statements in most, if not all, the First-day schools of Friends. They may also serve as another bond of union between our various congregations, without hindering by any needless limitations the free action of that spontane

ous instruction which the qualified teacher is often enabled to hand forth from the heart's treasury.

We need a thoughtful upholding of real landmarks of recognized Truth long so precious to our churchbut we have an abiding objection to offering any impediments to the liberty of thought which is the privilege of truly spiritual Christians. Our Bible is for our help and never for our hindrance, and we hold earnestly the testimony of our fathers of the first generation of Quakerism, and of the Apostles of the earliest days of the Christian church, that "the tabernacle of God is with men." If the children of our

people learn to realize in their early days that they are indeed temples of the Holy Ghost and that they may have immediate access to the fountain of all Truth, they will see that they are free indeed from creed and legend. They will see confirmation of this in the experience of life—finding themselves led by the spiritual inward guide in ways of pleasantness and paths of peace. This previous gift of the Holy Spirit is found to be vouchsafed to all who earnestly desire it-to the "pure in heart" who, it is promised "shall see God."

It is very easy to show that the simple faith of Quakerism is entirely Scriptural, and this is perhaps an important function of the First-day school, and our heartiest sympathy goes forth to those dear Friends who have enlisted themselves in the great work of the nurture of real religious sentiment and thought amongst our youth. We recall the famous words of the great Froebel in regard to important work which he strove to accomplish in the reformation of the fundamental education of the little childCome, let us live for our children, so that the next generation may be God's children."

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"And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth are passed away: and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people. and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."-Revelations 21: 1-4: revised edition.

WORK IN THE MISSION SCHOOL. THE workers in Friends' Mission, in this city,

have concluded to venture on another season of labor. The First-day meeting will be held at 11 A. M., under the supervision of Robert E. Evans and other Friends; the First-day school at a quarter before 3, with George B. Cock as superintendent; Friends' meeting on Third-day evening, under the direction of

James H. Atkinson, will open 11th mo. 3d, at 7.45 o'clock, p. m.; Temperance meeting, Fifth-day evening, under a committee, of which Humphreys Garrigues is chairman. The sewing schools, under the direction of Martha B. Downing, will not be resumed until the Eleventh month.

There is great need of workers in connection with this mission; could more of our young people be prevailed on to come forward and assist, much added good could be effected, and these young Friends would find there is a blessing results from laboring for the elevation of others greater than can be known by an indulgence in selfish gratification and a love of ease. The possibility of a kindergarten for the neglected children of that vicinity-Fairmount avenue and Beach street-has been proposed, but such an arrangement, whilst it would be very useful would require considerable more funds.

Any inclining to contribute to the support of any or all of the various departments can send to James Gaskill, Treasurer, 224 Walnut street, Philadelphia.

FOR THE AID OF MARTHA SCHOFIELD'S SCHOOL.

THE work of education and training of young col

ored people at Aiken, S. C., carried on by Marthat Schofield, has heretofore been explained quite fully in the columns of this journal, and was particularly alluded to in her letter, published Ninth mo. 19th. As we feel no doubt that many persons would be glad to join in helping forward a worthy undertaking of this kind, we announce that we will receive subscriptions on account of the Aiken school, and will see that they are duly forwarded. We acknowledge the receipt of the following: Wilmer Atkinson

$5.00

THE question is sometimes raised whether the subscription price of our paper could not be materially reduced, so as to extend its circulation largely. Our reply to this has always been that if it is to be selfsustaining, any considerable reduction is out of the question, until the circulation becomes much larger. The unavoidable expenses of its production are such as to require continual prudence and economy in the management of its revenues. We make this comment in connection with a paragraph from the Christian Advocate of New York, which on being asked why it could not put the price at $1, instead of $3, says:

"We could, and make twenty-five per cent. clear on it, if we filled it with such a heterogeneous mass of unedited, unreliable, poorly written materials of the goody-goody and baddy-baddy type. Give us one day a week, with a paste-pot and scissors, a stenographer, and three or four daily papers with a few correspondents, told to 'spin it out.' Then, with

head-lines two inches long and two or three big woodcuts of public men that would almost make their families wish they had no reputation, we could get it out in twenty-four hours each week, and find pleasurable change in giving the rest of the time to literary pursuits. Such a paper would be very dear, however, at twenty-five cents a year. The fact is that a good religious paper, carefully edited, at $2.50 or $3 a year, is the cheapest thing that is ever sold to the public."

MARRIAGES.

CORNELL-HORNEY.-At the residence of the bride's parents, near the city of Richmond, Indiana, on Fifth-day, Ninth month 24th, 1885, with the approbation of White Water Monthly Meeting, John J. Cornell, of Mendon, New York, to Eliza V. Horney, of the former place.

MOORE-ROBERTS.-On Ninth month 22d, 1885, in Philadelphia, under the care of Green Street Monthly Meeting, Sharpless Moore, of New Garden, Chester county, Pa., and Lydia Roberts, of Philadelphia.

DEATHS.

GEORGE.-On Fourth-day evening, Ninth month 23d, at Overbrook, Philadelphia, Joseph W. George, in his 81st year; a valued member of Merion Preparative, and Radnor Monthly Meeting, Pa.

ORVIS.-In Pickering, Ont., on the 25th and 29th of Eighth month, 1885, Wiman and May, twin children of Ira P., and Sarah Ann Orvis, aged nearly 10 months.

NEWS OF FRIENDS.

ILLINOIS YEARLY MEETING.

HIS began, at Mt. Palatine, on Second-day, the 14th of Ninth month. On the preceding Sixthday Friends from a distance began to flock in and were kindly met at the railroad station, eight miles distant from the meeting house, by Friends with carriages and light wagons, prepared to convey all to their hospitable homes. On Seventh-day morning, the first session of the meeting for Ministers and Elders was held, and in the afternoon of that day the Annual Conference of the First-day School Association. In the former, the majority of our meetings were represented in person, and all the appointed representatives were present; also one ministering Friend from the East was with us. Though the answering of the queries showed some deficiencies among us, we were advised not to dwell too much on weaknesses, but to endeavor to correct them; one Friend telling us of conversing with a dear aged sister, who remarked to him, "I feel that I have through my life dwelt too much on my own weakness and not enough on the strength of God." A few words of counsel from several and the meeting closed its first session.

Near three o'clock the First-day School Annual Association convened, opening with the calling of delegates, to which all responded but one who sent a reason for absence, and then the reading of the reports. These latter evinced an increasing interest in the schools, wherever established. Excellent epistles from similar associations manifested a fraternal regard and desire for our welfare and progress in all that is good. First-day opened up cloudy, after a

night of wind and rain, making it disagreeable for those at any distance from the meeting to attend ; consequently it was much smaller than usual, but the house was comfortably filled. Vocal supplication was offered at the opening of the meeting for a blessing on the deliberations of the coming week.

Many testimonies were borne during the two sessions of the day, some of them doctrinal, but the generality of them practical, pointing out the duties of the Christian and showing the efficacy of the Divine Light within us, to guide and assist in performing these duties. In the evening a meeting of the Illinois Peace Society was, as usual, held.

Second-day morning dawned upon us, bright and beautiful, rather cool, but so pleasant that its influence seemed reflected on all around. The Representative Committee met at eight o'clock. Memorials of two aged Friends, deceased, of Blue River Monthly Meeting, were read; also a paper from one of our own members entitled an "Address to all who claim the name of Friend." The Yearly Meeting proper assembled promptly at the usual hour, ten o'clock, and transacted the routine business, reading epistles from other meetings, appointing committees, etc. In the evening, at the meeting house, was held a " Children's meeting." Though nearly all the adults were present, the children, occupying the front seats, were the chief objects of interest, and the exercises were mainly for them. They appeared much interested, expressing themselves afterward as having such a good meeting. Would not such meetings be a good thing, generally, at such times? We want our children to go to meeting and we expect them to sit still while there, but unless they can understand what is said or done, how can we reasonably expect them to feel sufficient interest to care whether they go or not, or whether they sit still or not?

On Third-day the state of the Society was considered by reading the queries and answers from the quarterly meeting, showing some deficiencies, but manifesting a care for overcoming them, that was encouraging for our future. The second session of the First-day School Conference, in the evening, was occupied with reading replies to epistles received, essays, recitations, remarks, etc. One teacher sent in a very interesting account of the manner in which she instructs her class of little ones.

On Fourth-day morning, after the closing of the labors of the representative committee, the meeting for public worship was held. As on the First-day of the week, several excellent discourses were delivered. Fourth and Fifth-day afternoons were devoted, in joint session, to receiving reports from the Indian, Temperance, Prison, Coöperative Labor and other committees, the ministers of the Representative Committees, etc.

A rather small, but quite interesting house-meeting gathered at the home of one of our members on Fourth-day evening. These house-meetings are much prized by those who attend them.

Fifth-day morning finished the labors of the Yearly Meeting in separate session, after which a few tendering communications and heartfelt farewell sermons, as tributes of love and thanksgiving followed.

Then a period of solemn and impressive silence, and Illinois Yearly Meeting closed its work for 1885, and now lives but in the memory of the past, a memory hallowed by grateful thoughts and tender recollections. ELIZABETH H. COALE. Holder, Ill.

INDIANA YEARLY MEETING. THIS has been in session at Richmond, during the past week. The meeting of Ministers and Elders assembled on the 26th ult., at 2 P. M., continuing in session about two and a half hours. Several strangers were present, including Sunderland P. Gardner, John J. Cornell, Thomas Foulke, Daniel Underhill, and others. The meeting was about its usual size and was satisfactory. There were gospel deliverances from all these Friends, except the last named, and from Ann Packer, Sarah Hutton, and others.

On First-day, the weather bright and clear, three meetings were held in the large house-at 10 A. M., and 3, and 7 P. M. The morning meeting was the largest in many years, the house being packed, and some not able to gain admission. The great audience was attentive, and the silence most profound. John J. Cornell occupied the hour in a powerful sermon, one of his best, practical and argumentative, adapted to the mixed audience,-many members of other religious bodies being present. All seemed interested and instructed. This was followed by a prayer, adapted to the occasion, offered by Thomas Foulke. All hearts seemed baptized with the holy spirit, and the silence was profound when this most favored sitting closed.

At the third hour in the afternoon, the audience being nearly as large as in the morning, and as attentive and silent, Sunderland P. Gardner occupied nearly an hour and a half in one of his most powerful and lucid sermons. This was followed by two prayers, and some remarks from others.

In the evening the audience was nearly as large as in the afternoon-much larger than was expected for an evening meeting, evincing a deep and continued interest, especially on the part of the young. Benjamin Hopkins, of Cincinnati, opened and spoke more than half an hour, clearly and practically. This was followed by communications from John J. Cornell Thomas Foulke, and one or two others. The meeting was baptized into deep feeling, and by the holy spirit. All seemed to feel that it was a precious, favored, good meeting.

Our friend John J. Cornell, has an appointed meeting for Fourth-day evening, especially for the young, but all are invited.

The general yearly meeting opens this morning; other strangers from a distance have continued to flow in and the gathering will be large. The weather continues bright and beautiful. Richmond, Ninth month 28th.

BALTIMORE QUARTERLY MEETING. On the Gunpowder River at its junction by Western River, twenty miles north of the city of Baltimore, may be found old Gunpowder Monthly Meeting of Friends. Here we have just enjoyed our last quar

terly meeting preceding Baltimore Yearly Meeting of 1885, two hundred and thirteen years after the founding of the Yearly Meeting, which alternated between the eastern and western shores of the Chesapeake Bay, at Thirdhaven and West River, until it was settled in Baltimore.

Gunpowder Monthly Meeting was established Fourth month 23d, 1739, about the time of the emigration of Friends to Virginia and the founding of Fairfax Quarterly Meeting. Also about this time, many Friends left the Eastern Shore and settled in and about the growing town of Baltimore, and Gunpowder and Sandy Spring Friends sent committees to assist in establishing Baltimore Monthly Meeting, on Aisquith street, in 1792. Little Falls Monthly Meeting, at Fallstown, was established in 1816, and Baltimore Quarterly Meeting is, as of old, composed of the above named monthly meetings.

In the year 1779, the first report against Friends for holding slaves was made in Gunpowder Monthly Meeting, and resulted in the disownment of one member.

Gunpowder Monthly Meeting has few members, now, but there are enough good and earnest Friends to entertain and refresh all comers to their pleasant and hospitable homes. About forty persons went up by the Northern Central railroad, and the York Turnpike from the city. The old meeting-house was occupied to its full capacity. No ministers were in attendance from other quarterly meetings, but those of our own were favored to hold forth the good work of life, with authority and power; and with the precious gift of ministry and ever living silence, the hearts of the people were made to rejoice. Love and Unity prevailed and we were favored to have good meetings. The clerk of men's meeting, Seneca P. Broomall, on calling the names of the Representatives, found all present except one, who was sick.

The committee on Education held their quarterly meeting on the afternoon of First-day, conducted by Eli M. Lamb, Principal of Friends' monthly meeting school of Baltimore, who made a favorable report of progress.

The painful and troublesome violation of our discipline by some members in the Western District of Baltimore Monthly Meeting was again brought before the meeting, and the acknowledgment of our deficiencies developed that there was little or no abatement in the infringement of the good order of the society by the vending of intoxicating liquors in this district of our yearly meeting. Friends from Baltimore said they had hoped and waited for the time when all will come into unity and harmony with our valued testimonies.

A memorial of our deceased friend, Esther B. Canby, was read, and the recollection of her chaste and earnest ministry, her pure private life, and sweet spirit, cast a deep and abiding solemnity over the meeting, under which it ceased.

Baltimore, Ninth month 22d, 1885.

H. J.

-Nottingham Monthly Meeting of Friends, formerly held alternately at West Nottingham and Brick

Meeting House, will hereafter include Oxford in rotation, being held at each place every third month. The first meeting since the change was held in Oxford Friends' Meeting-House yesterday and was largely attended, many of the younger members being present and embracing a very impressive religious service. Those in the ministry were Allen Flitcraft, of Chester, Pa., Margaretta Walton, of Ercildoun, Pa., and Wm. Way and Hanna Reynolds, of Rising Sun, Md. The next meeting will be held at West Nottingham, on the 16th of next month. The clerks of the meeting are E. R. Buffington and Elizabeth B. Passmore. Oxford, Pa., Herald, 19th ult.

-Joseph B. Livezey, of Upper Greenwich, N. J., and Joseph Powell, of Darby, have just completed a religious visit to Friends in Bucks county, Pa., more particularly in the vicinity of Wrightstown, attending six meetings, and having opportunities in over seventy-five families of young married people. They were encouraged by the evidences of a feeling of interest which seemed to be waiting for a helping hand from older Friends to be brought into active service.

-A note from an Illinois correspondent on the 21st ult., says: “Edward Coale, of Benjamin ville Monthly Meeting, having obtained the approval of his meeting, proposes to start on his Western tour the middle of this week. He will probably be joined by Abel Mills, of Clear Creek Monthly Meeting. They will be absent several weeks, as his concern embraces a large extent of territory.'

-Our friend John J. Cornell obtained from Rochester Monthly Meeting a minute liberating him for religious service to attend Indiana Yearly Meeting,the same monthly meeting which granted him permission to proceed in marriage.

-At West Chester Meeting, on First-day, a visiting friend was present and spoke, as also did Lydia H. Price, the company present being large, especially on the women's side. The latter Friend, to the regret of many at West Chester, is about to remove her home, (in company with her daughter and sonin-law, Dr. Edward Jackson), to Germantown, Philadelphia. The meeting at West Chester, it may be remarked, shows signs of an encouraging activity of religious interest. The First-day school is large, and it, as well as the meeting, is attended by quite a number of the young men and women of the State Normal School, some sixty of whom record themselves at the school as being customarily attendants at Friends' meeting.

-A general meeting in the interest of Temperance was held at Langhorne, (Bucks Co., Pa.), on First-day, the 20th ult., at 2.30 p. m., under the joint charge of Bucks county members of the Yearly Meeting's Committee, and of the Bucks Quarter Committee on the same subject. Samuel Swain spoke at the opening, after which Lydia Walton, of Edgewood, gave a reading, cautioning physicians not to prescribe liquor as a medicine. Dr. Franklin T. Haines spoke at length, very acceptably, and was followed by William Justice, of Buffalo, N. Y., (a member of the Temperance Committee of Genesee Yearly Meeting), T. E. Langhorne, Jeremiah Hayhurst, Joseph

Flowers and George Justice. William Justice mentioned the lamentable use of liquor in Buffalo, where there is one drinking place for each hundred and ten inhabitants. Several temperance meetings have been held within the year, one of them presided over by a Friend, attended by 6,000 people, and addressed by a Catholic clergyman. Jeremiah Hayhurst alluded to the action of Judge Harry White, of Indiana county, Penna., who refused altogether to grant liquor licenses, assuming that he may in his discretion refuse all. (This question is likely to be tested in the Supreme Court of the State.)

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE SPIRIT OF GAMBLING.

Editors INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL.

ONE

NE of the wost passions of the day is the spirit of gambling. It pervades nearly all classes; so many of our leading papers publish the doings on the race course, base-ball playing, and walking-matches, where thousands of dollars are spent in gambling. Our cities are full of men who lounge about saloons and street corners, talking about the next horse-race, or base-ball game; their whole time is devoted to the interest of gambling in some form or other. Our county fairs have run into gambling, and many of our business firms have resorted to it in some way to gain trade. The fact that so many of our young men are thronging all places where they can live by perilous "chances" is a matter assuming serious importance, both morally and religiously. It is high time that we were bearing testimony against these evils that are existing in our land. Every Christian should bear his testimony against the evil of betting and gambling transactions, of every amount and kind, as something wicked and disreputable. He can refuse to touch a "book," or dabble in a "pool," or even help make a "corner." He can be satisfied with honest gains. He can frown upon all trading whose elements are dishonest, whatever its profits may be, for all such gains are sin, and the end of sin is death.

Richmond, Ind.

MEDICAL USE OF LOBELIA. Editors INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL:

J. W. M.

IN a recent issue of the INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL there is so wide a mistake made that we are not willing it should stand uncorrected-under the sanction of a Friends' paper. Having been for half a century or over constantly in the use of Lobelia inflata as a medicine in my family and among our neighbors, I know it to be as innocuous a vegetable medicine as can be used, and very valuable as an emetic. I cannot bear to have its curative properties misrepresented with the assertion that less than a teaspoonful of the powdered seed or herb would produce death. I was a witness, in one violent case of inflammatory fever, to the administration of eleven heaped teaspoonfuls in less than an hour, with the happiest results—the entire removal of every inflammatory action in less than six hours, and the entire recovery of the patient in a very few days. And but the other day I knew

of its administration, to the removal of a malarial fever almost immediately, under the direction of a physio-medical practitioner of our city, when other practice had failed. This physio-medical practice new supersedes the old Thomsonian and is very successful and popular here and in every form of curable disease. It is thought by A. Curtis and other scientists of the physio-medical college, to be quite an advance on Thomsonism, but I much doubt whether any of them can beat our worthy old friend Dr. Wm. Hallowell, of Norristown, Pennsylvania. I am acquainted with but one other of the Lobelia family, which is Lobelia syphiltica which has been said to be poisonous; but not being a thorough botanist I say not on that point, but leave it with others.

Padua, Ill.

RUS RURIS.

[We cheerfully insert the protest of our correspondent concerning Lobelia inflata. The authority of S. R. was mainly Wood, whose comments on the officinal virtues of plants are supposed to be pretty sound, and are interesting. But if, by the inevitable limitations of our knowledge, we fall into an error, we are ready to give place to dissenting opinion; it is only learned physicians who can speak authoritatively of the relative values of officinial plants.-Eds.]

NOT AS I WILL.

BY HELEN HUNT JACKSON.

BLINDFOLDED and alone I stand

With unknown thresholds on each hand; The darkness deepens as I grope,

Afraid to fear, afraid to hope;

Yet this one thing I learn to know
Each day more surely as I go,
That doors are opened, ways are made,
Burdens are lifted or are laid,

By some great law unseen and still,
Unfathomed purpose to fulfill,

"Not as I will."

Blindfolded and alone I wait.
Loss seems too bitter, gain too late;
Too heavy burdens in the load,
And too few helpers on the road;
And joy is weak and grief is strong,
And years and days so long, so long;
Yet this one thing I learn to know
Each day more surely as I go,—
That I am glad the good and ill
By changeless law are ordered still
"Not as I will."

"Not as I will!" the sound grows sweet Each time my lips the words repeat. "Not as I will," the darkness feels More safe than light when this thought steals Like whispered voice to calm and bless All unrest and all loneliness. "Not as I will," because the One Who loved us first and best has gone Before us on the road, and still For us must all His love fulfill"Not as we will."

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